Exercising and massage device.



No. 662,083. 7 Patented Nov. 20. I900. B. A. MCFADDEN.

EXERCISING AND MASSAGE DEVICE.

(Application filed Febv 5, 1900 (No Model.)

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BERNARD A. MCFADDEN, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y.

EXERCISING AND .lViASSAGE DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 662,083, dated November 20, 1900.

Application filed February 5, 1900. ierial No. 3,993- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LBERNARD A. h/ICFADDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Exercising Massage Devices, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to exercising massage devices; and the object thereof is to provide a device of this class which is positive and efficient in action and durable in construction.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which like reference characters denote corresponding parts in both views, Figure 1 is a plan view of an exercising massage device constructed according to my invention, and Fig. 2 a transverse section thereof upon an enlarged scale.

In the practice of my invention I provide a body portion embodying flexible side members 3, which are connected by a plurality of rigid cross-bars 4. The side members 3 preferably consist each of a length of elastic cord the ends of which at each end of the body portion of the device are connected by unionpieces 5, the length of which is relatively much less than the length of each of the crossbars 4, whereby the ends 3 of the side members 3 at each end of the body converge from the ends of the extreme end cross-bars 4 to the adjacent union-piece 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Mounted loosely upon each of the cross-bars 4, exclusive of the extreme end cross-bars, are a plurality of spherical bodies 6, and upon each of the end cross bars 4 is similarly mounted a single spherical body 6.

material and is filled with compressed air. The relative arrangement of the side members 3, the cross-bars 4, and the spherical bodies 6, together with the tubes 7, is such that each tube 7 lies within a plane approximately at right angles with the plane of the corresponding cross-bar 4 and parallel with the line of extension of each of the side members 3.

Each of the union-pieces 5 is provided with a side extension 8, to which is swiveled a link 9, provided with ahook 10, with which is detachably connected the central loop 11 of the bail 12 of a grip 13.

In the use of the device hereinabove described the grips 13 are grasped in the hands of the user and the spherical bodies 6 are brought to bear upon the person, the entire device being moved rapidly, causing the spherical bodies 6 to revolve upon the crossbars 4 in engagement with the person. The user of the device further obtains exercise by expanding the elasi ic side members 3, and the efficiency of the device is greatly enhanced by the flexibility of the side members 3, as

they allow the spherical bodies to conform in their movement to all the unevenesses of conformation of the person. The eccentric mounting of the spherical bodies causes the same to execute a vibratory movement in engagement with the flesh of the person using the device, simulating an intermittent striking or pounding thereof, and the annular tubes 7 press into the flesh, causing an acceleration of the circulation of the blood, as well as a thorough massage or kneading of the flesh.

The formation and arrangement of the end portions of the body portion of the device, embracing the converging end portions 3 of the side members 3, the unions 5, and end cross-bars 4, are such that the spherical bodies 6 upon said end cross-bars are free to operate in a plane longitudinally of the device and intermediate of the two longitudinal series or rows of spherical bodies 6, and the said end bodies 6 operate in the same plane longitudinally of the device as the union-pieces 5. Due to the above arrangement of the parts, as the device is moved longitudinally over the person, the endmost spherical bodies 6 first engage a certain given portion of the person,

whereby the frictional contact of the device with the person is graduated or accelerated in degree for each portion of the person engaged.

The frictional or kneading potential of the device may also be varied by varying the expansion longitudinally of the side members 3, causing a relative separation of the several cross-bars and the spherical bodies thereon. The swivel connection of the body portion with the grips 13 allows a tortuous movement of the arms in manipulating the device, maintaining the entire plurality of spherical bodies at all times in contact with the person, or at least preventing twisting or reversal of position of the body portion of the device.

The entire device is simple and comparatively cheap in construction and is efficient in operation, and I do not limit myself to the specific construction and arrangement of parts herein specified, but reserve the right to vary the same within the scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. A massage device, embodyingaplurality of eccentricallyrotatable spherical bodies, each of which is provided with a circumferential resilient projecting portion.

2. A massage device,comprising a body portion consisting of flexible side members, and a plurality of eccentrically-rotatable spherical bodies suspended therebetween, and means for manipulating said body portion.

3. Amassage device,comprisingabodyportion consisting of elastic side members, and a plurality of eccentrically-rotatable spherical bodies, suspended therebetween, and means pivotally connected with said body portion for manipulating the same.

4. A massage device,comprising a body portion, consisting of elastic side members, a plurality of cross-bars connected therewith, and a plurality of spherical bodies eccentrically rotatably mounted thereon, and means for manipulating said body portion.

5. A massage device,co mprisinga body portion consisting of elastic side members, a plurality of cross-bars connected therewith, and a plurality of spherical bodies eccentrically' and rotatably mounted thereon, and each provided with a circumferential projecting pneumatic element.

6. Amassage device,comprisingabody portion consisting of elastic side members, a plurality of cross-bars connected therewith, a plurality of spherical bodies eccentrically rotatably mounted thereon, the endmost of said cross-bars being provided each with but one of saidspherical bodies, and the ends of said side members at each end of said body portion being brought together and connected, and manipulating means connected with said side members at the point of junction thereof at each end of said body portion.

7. Amassagedevice,comprisingabodyportion consisting of elastic side members, a plurality of cross-bars connected therewith, a plurality of spherical bodies eccentrically and rotatably mounted thereon, the endmost of said cross-bars being provided each with but one of said spherical bodies, and the ends of said side members at each end of said body portion being brought together and connected, and manipulating means swiveled to said side members at the point of junction thereof at each end of said body portion.

8. Amassage device,embodyingone or more eccentrically and rotatably mounted bodies, provided with a circu mferential resilient projecting portion or ring thereon.

9. A massage device,comprising a body portion consisting of elastic side members which are connected at each end of said body portion by means of union-pieces, a plurality of BERNARD A. MOFADDEN.

Witnesses:

T. A. STEWART, V. M. VOSLER. 

